World War II veteran earns French medal

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A Van Wert County man and former World War II prisoner of war recently received France’s highest award: the Legion d’Honneur.

Richard Beach was recently presented with the medal, which was created by Napoleon and is the highest honor that France can bestow upon those who have achieved remarkable deeds for France.

The award comes nearly 70 years after Beach’s liberation by Russian solders from a German POW camp in what was then Czechoslovakia in May 1945.

“It is a great honor and privilege to present you with the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal,” said Vincent Floreani, French consul-general based in Chicago. “Through this award, the French government pays tribute to the soldiers who did so much for France and Western Europe. Seventy years ago, you gave your youth to France and the French people. Many of your fellow soldiers did not return, but they remain in our hearts.

“Thanks to your courage, and to our American friends and allies, France and Europe have been living in peace for the past seven decades,” Floreani added. “You saved us. We will never forget. For us, the French people, you are heroes. Gratitude and remembrance are forever in our souls.”

Beach, who was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 15, 1944, served with the 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, in France and Germany. He was later captured with 14 other infantrymen in Germany’s Heerlen Forest on November 17, 1944.

Beach spent the next six months in a number of German stalags (POW camps) prior to his final stay in the Czech camp. Following his release, he finally reached the American lines on May 17, 1945, and returned to the U.S. on June 24 of that year.

The local man, who experienced a number of hardships while a POW — including losing 35 pounds before being freed — was also awarded America’s Prisoner of War Medal following its creation in the late 1980s.

County Veterans Service Officer Barry Johns noted that Americans who served in France during World War II and participated in the Normandy Invasion, as well as campaigns in Provence in southern France or in northern France can apply for the medal, which is awarded to a few American soldiers who risked their lives during World War II to fight on French soil.

Those applying must include a copy of their separation record (honorable discharge), the application and a copy of a current photo ID document, such as a driver’s license. French authorities also request that applicants include copies of citations already received in France, such as the Croix de Guerre (cross of war), and American medals, if any. All citations must have been issued during World War II or soon after.

“Since only a small number of Legion of Honor medals are awarded each year in the United States, care is taken to nominate only those with the most distinguished records,” stated a document issued by the French consulate.

The medal, however, is not awarded posthumously, so only living World War II veterans can apply.